Primary preview: A look at the 6th Congressional District race

In January, Conservatives for Guilford County sponsored a debate with Chris Hardin and Rep. Mark Walker, left to right, the two candidates for the Republican nomination in the North Carolina 6th Congressional District race. Lynn Hey/News & Record

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Two years ago, Mark Walker was a relatively unknown Baptist preacher from Greensboro who was one of nine candidates on the Republican primary ballot for the 6th Congressional District seat.

Walker finished a strong second to Phil Berger Jr., the Rockingham County district attorney and son of the most powerful man in North Carolina politics.

Two months later, Walker pulled the upset against the candidate who had collected more money and more endorsements. Walker then cruised to an 18-point victory in November over Democrat Laura Fjeld of Orange County.

This time around, the race for the late Howard Coble’s seat has a lot less drama. Walker, the favorite, has the name recognition he didn’t have two years ago, and he has a massive fundraising advantage.